Hints? Tips? Insider info?

[billiam5billion]

My Dimarzio model J's are in the mail as we speak, as is a sheet of copper shielding tape. My Jazz is a MIM 96 so I'm going to have to route out the bridge pup cavity.

This is going to be my first time for everything I'm doing, from the shielding to the routing to the pups.

I'll be working with my electrician friend and taking it all very slowly, but I was curious if anyone had any tips or tricks from their own experience that might help me to avoid rookie mistakes.

[Jo6Pak]

The Model J are humbuckers.

Not only that, the pups are also sold individually, so you can buy two short ones and avoid routing.

[FunkMetalBass]

Luckily, my 96 jazz didn't require much work. I actually didn't router anything. Instead, I took a chisel and took off a mm or so on each side, then just wrapped coarse sandpaper around the chisel and sanded the rest away. It took me all of 20 minutes.

[billiam5billion]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Luckily, my 96 jazz didn't require much work. I actually didn't router anything. Instead, I took a chisel and took off a mm or so on each side, then just wrapped coarse sandpaper around the chisel and sanded the rest away. It took me all of 20 minutes.

That's a relief, I was gonna go after it with a dremel! Did you just sand the ends of the cavity down, or the sides? I guess what I'm asking is, in which direction did the new pup not fit?

[FunkMetalBass]

Width-wise. The bridge pickups are generally wider to accommodate a greater string spacing. Line up the pickup poles when you get them and decide from there. You'll likely need to shave some off of each side evenly.

[billiam5billion]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Width-wise. The bridge pickups are generally wider to accommodate a greater string spacing. Line up the pickup poles when you get them and decide from there. You'll likely need to shave some off of each side evenly.

Awesome, thanks for the info!